A questionnaire was developed and administered to 137 Navy aviators, who were repatriated prisoners of war (RPWs) from North Vietnam, to investigate the usefulness of specific “time‐killing” activities or adaptational strategies for coping with extensive periods of solitary confimement during captivity. Factor analysis of the usefulness scores resulted in the derivation of four factors accounting for 32% of the variance: (1) Captor‐Captive Relationship, (2) Reliving the Past, (3) Repetitive Behavior, and (4) Self‐development Activities. Factor 1 coping activities were rated as most useful, and Factor 3 as least useful. Factor 2 activities were used by most RPWs during the first few weeks in solitary, while Factor 4 activities were not used until later. In addition, the usefulness of all four factors increased significantly over time. The results were discussed in terms of the personality characteristics of aviators, and theoretical formulations emphasizing the individual's need for optimal stimulation.

No abstract

A post-isolation interview was administered to 134 Ss confined for up to 72 hr. under three conditions of sensory deprivation: Auditory-Tactual-Visual (Total Deprivation); Auditory-Tactual; and Auditory. Results indicated that Ss were not severely disorganized by the isolation experience. Total deprivation produced greater disturbance of affect and cognition than the two less severely restricted conditions, while complaints of physical discomfort were greater in the latter two groups. Hallucinations were analyzed in the Total Deprivation Group. The occurrence of visual, auditory, olfactory, kinesthetic, and body-image hallucinations was reported. Confirmation of previous findings for visual sensations was dependent on the criteria for classification. A significant proportion of Ss reported multimodal, complex sensory experiences (CSE). The history of CSE in sensory deprivation and related research was reviewed, and their relation to other types of hallucinations was discussed.

No abstract

No abstract